Comment on Maraveas, C. Concrete Silos: Failures, Design Issues and Repair/Strengthening Methods. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 3938

Abstract

Current silo analysis and design methods developed from Janssen’s theory focus mainly on the flow of the granules inside the silo by assuming that the overall silo structure is infinitely rigid. A silo structure during discharge is technically a time varying mass dynamic problem, where the properties of the overall silo structure and the discharge rate and material properties also contribute to the development of the load. The physics of a silo system requires equilibrium between the granules inside the silo, the silo structure as a whole and the surrounding air. The established scientific principles and experimental data require fulfilling such equilibrium to accurately predict the dynamic loads during discharge. This correspondence explains how the equilibrium between the granules inside the silo, the silo structure as a whole and the surrounding air can be achieved to better predict and control the dynamic loads generated by the silo discharge process.